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Jobs Bill to support WA workers passes through Legislative Assembly

New laws will support WA businesses to get a bigger share of work on local projects

State Government to assist businesses to tender for government contracts

Premier Mark McGowan today welcomed the passage of the McGowan Labor Government's Jobs Bill through the Legislative Assembly paving the way for more jobs for Western Australians.

The new laws will give Western Australian businesses a better opportunity to get a bigger share of work on State Government projects, creating more jobs for local workers.

Prospective suppliers of government contracts will now be required to submit local participation plans as part of their tender. These plans will then be incorporated into the contracts of successful suppliers to ensure the promised local jobs are delivered.

Dedicated staff within the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will proactively engage with local businesses, making it simpler and easier for them to understand how to tender for a government contract.

Under the Jobs Law, governments can also declare a major project a 'project of strategic significance for the WA economy' requiring these projects to have extra local content, which will lead to more jobs.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"The Jobs Law was a key election commitment that we've moved swiftly to deliver. I'm pleased the laws have passed through the lower house of Parliament and urge all Members of Parliament to support their quick passage through the upper house.

"Under the new law, the work flowing to WA businesses on big government projects will be maximized, creating more jobs for Western Australian workers.

"This is all about giving WA businesses every opportunity to compete for work on important State infrastructure like schools, hospitals and public transport, and giving them the tools they need to do so.

"Under the previous government, WA workers were missing out. We recognised this wasn't good enough and the Jobs Law will put WA jobs first."